By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Assembly members voted 4-3 Tuesday night in favor of a fast-track process to select a city administrator to replace Keith Brady, who was fired in June.
Fire Chief Dave Miller has been filling in as administrator since then, while also keeping his position as head of the fire department.
Some Assembly members said it made more sense to keep Miller in the interim position and wait for a human resources director to lead the recruitment process, but others said it wouldn’t hurt to see who’s available now.
The approved motion calls for advertising over the next three weeks in the Sentinel, on the state employment website, the city website and with the Alaska Municipal League. The motion also called for a “discussion/decision” item on the Aug. 13 meeting to review the applicants. A few members said they’re against engaging the professional recruiting firm used last time, and in favor of seeing what applicants come in.
Voting in favor of the faster process were Richard Wein, Steven Eisenbeisz, Valorie Nelson and Aaron Bean.
“We can advertise for a few weeks, we can see what applications come our way,” Bean said. “These are people keeping an eye out, they’re interested, they know the position is open and they’re likely to apply. ... I’m hoping this Assembly doesn’t make this a long, drawn-out process.”
It’s possible only a few applications will come in, but, he added, “We do need to get the ball rolling.”
Nelson commented, “Perhaps Chief Miller would apply, and perhaps some of the ones that applied before that I thought were good (would apply again), and see where it goes. ... What harm does it do to advertise, and see what jumps into the net.”
Members on either side of the discussion expressed concern about Miller dividing his time between the two jobs.
Kevin Mosher, Kevin Knox and Gary Paxton voted against the short timeline, saying it made more sense for the Assembly to take its time to find the right person for this key position.
“I don’t want to rush it; I want to do it right,” Mosher said.
Paxton spoke in favor of keeping Miller in the interim job, but following an orderly process for a permanent replacement.
“Chief Miller as temporary administrator brings experience, a calming influence to our staff, to the Assembly, to our community,” Paxton said. “My view is give Dave a couple months to continue to do that, get ourselves a planner, an HR person on the staff so we’ve got critical parts of staff filled, and then in an orderly fashion, we can go ahead and pursue (the administrator search).”
Advertising is currently under way to fill the vacant city planner and human resources director positions. Paxton said looking for an administrator now has the potential to detract from the “stability, the morale and the effectiveness of our staff.”
GPIP Water Treatment
Following another spirited discussion on the merits of the proposed water filtration plant, the Assembly narrowly approved on introduction an ordinance to set aside Lots 17 and 18, and 7,496 square feet of land at the Gary Paxton Industrial Park for the project.
The Public Works Department said the plant is needed as the city’s backup drinking water supply when the regular water supply is down because the hydroelectric penstock is shut off for maintenance or inspection. The backup supply from Sawmill Creek is also needed for times when the water from Blue Lake is too turbid to be treated “exclusively with ultraviolet radiation,” public works officials said.
Public Works said the GPIP lots are the cheapest and the most practical location for the project because it is adjacent to the UV treatment facility and Sawmill Creek, which is a source of high-quality water, Public Works Director Mike Harmon said today.
But Assembly members who voted against GPIP land transfer questioned whether this location so near the dam would actually be a backup water source, particularly in the event of a disaster.
“I think it should be at a place like Indian River,” Nelson said. “Don’t put all your water in one basket. ... I’ve talked to people who know the business, and know the city, and believe that’s the best place to go.”
Public Works and consultants have reviewed other sites, which were determined to be less feasible and much more expensive. Harmon agreed that Indian River would be a “true secondary source” because of its distance from the regular water infrastructure.
“(Indian River water) is harder to treat, it’s more expensive, but it does have that advantage,” he said.
But he also noted the city’s lack of water rights on Indian River, wetlands and a location in a designated floodplain are other issues.
The GPIP land acquisition passed on first reading and will be up for second reading Aug. 13. Voting in favor were Knox, Eisenbeisz, Paxton and Mosher. Wein, Bean and Nelson voted against.
Other discussion related to whether it’s appropriate to use the GPIP land for the project, instead of for other economic development projects, and whether the GPIP enterprise fund should be paid for the land.
FEMA Floodplain
The Assembly held a work session on floodplain management prior to the meeting, and during the meeting voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance to update the city code section on floodplain management and regulations.
The ordinance is related to Sitka’s continued participation in the National Floodplain Insurance Program, under the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Some members had problems with the program, but all agreed that opting out would have serious and costly ramifications for not only individuals but the community. Among the consequences would be the city’s inability to qualify for federal disaster relief funding. Individuals would also be ineligible to receive subsidized flood insurance.
In the end, the vote was 7-0.
Assembly members agreed that the city should work with the state on possible alternatives or changes to the program.
It was also noted that there is an appeal process for those who believe their property was erroneously placed in a flood hazard zone. Currently there are 275 commercial, residential and government structures in the floodplain map of Sitka. An interactive map of the new and old map can be viewed at the city’s website.
Other Business
On other items, the Assembly:
– issued a proclamation for U.S. Coast Guard Day, on Aug. 4.
– approved a cultivation license renewal for VanGreen’s LLC at 224 D and E Smith Street, and a retail marijuana store license for Weed Dudes at 1321 SMC,
– approved resolutions in support of preservation grants for Sitka Maritime Heritage Society, St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Church and See House, and the Sitka Woman’s Club.
– approved a resolution for a grant application from the state for $1.5 million for the Eliason Harbor electric replacement project, and $219,125 for a corrosion protection project at Thomsen Harbor.
– discussed the pros and cons of transferring the balance of the Southeast Alaska Economic Development Fund into the Sitka Permanent Fund, but in the end took no action.
